Celebrations at the annual Pride In London event are the “best antidote” to the terror and tragedy of recent weeks, Sadiq Khan told thousands gathered in the city.

The Mayor of London said this year’s Pride was the biggest ever, as he addressed revellers in Trafalgar Square.

Members of the emergency services who helped in the aftermath of terrorist attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire disaster launched the marchon Saturday afternoon.

Staff from the Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade were nominated to take part after helping in response to terrorist atrocities and the Grenfell Fire disaster, organisers said.

Police officer proposed

The girlfriend of a police officer acted on this year’s Pride in London motto when she proposed along the parade route.

In keeping with the £LoveHappensHere hashtag, the woman got down on one knee to ask her British Transport Police (BTP) officer partner for her hand in marriage.

The 23-year-old officer, dressed in uniform and waving a rainbow flag, nodded and put the ring on before hugging her fiancee in front of a jubilant crowd.

A video of the moment the officer, originally from Peterborough, became engaged was posted online and has been liked hundreds of times.

The pair, who BTP said did not wish to be named, have been in a relationship for five years and live together in London.